Report Animal Cruelty

Cruelty toward animals is illegal under North Carolina law. You can report animals experiencing physical harm under the care of an individual, pet shop, kennel or animal shelter to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Animal Welfare Hotline.

What happens with your complaint
Our office will review your complaint to determine if the allegations involve animal cruelty. If our office determines that it is animal cruelty, then we will refer the complaint to the appropriate authority. Depending on the details of the complaint, your local animal control office, local Sheriff, or the NC Department of Agriculture may have the authority to take action. Please note that we are not able to process anonymous complaints.

How to contact local authorities
You are also welcome to share your animal cruelty concerns directly with your city or county animal control or Sheriff’s Office.